We have reached the point in the off-season where spring football has concluded and fans are starting to have a better understanding of what their team’s depth chart may look like. With that, we are going to start taking a look at specific position groups across the PAC 12 and Mountain West. With our coverage shifting to two different conferences, it will be impossible to cover all 18 teams in one article each week. For that reason, we are going to focus on a couple of teams that fit the bill in each category.
Over the past few weeks, we have talked about quarterbacks, running backs, and offensive lines. This week we shift our attention to wide receivers.
The Good
Hawaii
The Rainbow Warriors may have lost their top wide receiver in Jackson Harris. But this team has no shortage of talent at the position. Talented wideout Pofele Ashlock has remained loyal to his squad and will be one of the top pass catchers in the West. Hawaii also has plenty of talent around Ashlock with Power Five transfer Audric Harris, Tre’ Griffiths, and Devin Alves poised for breakout seasons.
UNLV
The talent is there, the question is if they have a true number one target. Senior wideout DeAngelo Irvin Jr. has proven himself as a reliable target in the slot, but his lack of size makes him largely obsolete in the red zone. Keep an eye on former Michigan wide receiver Amorion Walker and Utah wide receiver Taeshaun Lyons. If Jackson Arnold can be a consistent passer, these guys should be in for a big season.
The Bad
San Jose State
The Spartans have gained a reputation for having elite wide receiver play in recent years. Nick Nash was arguably the top wide receiver in the nation in 2024 and Danny Scudero wasn’t far behind last season. But with Scudero off to Colorado, the Spartans will be looking for a new top target. The coaches brought in some promising transfers, but I expect this unit to take a significant step back this fall.
Utah State
I love the move of putting Anthony Garcia at wide receiver full time. Who knows? Maybe he will be the next Nick Nash. However, I’m not sure this team has a wide receiver that will emerge as one of the best in the PAC 12 and it doesn’t help that there is a high level of uncertainty at the quarterback position. A guy to keep an eye on is Arizona transfer Rex Haynes. Haynes has elite size at 6’5” and will have an opportunity to make an immediate impact for the Aggies.
The Ugly
NIU
The Huskies passing attacks was rough last season and the move to the Mountain West is a significant bump in competition. This program is going through a number of significant changes and with a coaching staff that is in flux, it is hard to expect much from this team. They didn’t do enough in the transfer portal to make up for the major issues they face at the wideout position, but maybe some of the young guys will prove me wrong.
UTEP
Similar to above, the Mountain West isn’t Conference USA. It is going to take a few years for the Miners to recruit to a level where they can compete in this conference. UTEP may be in the football hotbed of Texas, but they don’t have the talent other programs do in the state. Maybe it’s a developmental problem? But whatever the case, this wide receiver group can’t hang with the top groups in the Mountain West.
How do you feel about your team’s wide receivers? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
